PEI to adopt new vehicle emissions standards

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI--Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz says his government will adopt tougher emission standards for vehicles to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. The PEI standards, to be brought in as part of the air quality regulations under the provincial Environmental Protection Act, will be similar to those first introduced in California. They are expected to reduce tailpipe emissions from new vehicles by about 25%. Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry George Webster estimated that the new standards will cut emissions in Prince Edward Island by 53,000 tonnes a year by 2017 - the equivalent of taking 10,000 cars off the road. The positive impact of the tougher standards will multiply as more new vehicles are bought and older ones taken off the road. Because of the lead time needed by the automotive industry to prepare for the tougher vehicle emission standards, the standards will not likely come effect until at least 2010.